A fleet of 37 hydrogen-powered buses has been delivered to Bologna, Italy, as part of a broader initiative by the local transport operator TPER to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This marks the first phase of a larger order of 137 hydrogen buses, which will also be deployed in nearby Ferrara. The project is co-funded by TPER and the European Union’s post-pandemic recovery plan. Javier Iriarte, CEO of Solaris Bus & Coach, the manufacturer of these buses, hailed the initiative as a major step toward sustainable public transport, emphasizing its potential to improve air quality in the region.

Despite these advancements, many experts argue that hydrogen-powered transport is lagging far behind battery electric alternatives. Recent market data highlights the stark contrast in adoption: only 5,621 hydrogen fuel cell cars were sold globally in the first half of 2024, compared to 4.5 million battery electric vehicles. Furthermore, a study tracking 190 green hydrogen projects over three years found that only 7% of announced capacity had been completed on schedule, reflecting the slow progress of the industry. Scientists have long hoped that green hydrogen could play a significant role in decarbonization, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors like steelmaking and shipping, but progress has been slower than anticipated.

Key challenges such as efficiency, cost, and storage continue to hinder hydrogen’s viability in transport. Studies show that battery-electric vehicles are three times more efficient than hydrogen fuel cells in power generation and delivery. Additionally, storing hydrogen requires expensive high-pressure tanks, making large-scale deployment financially impractical. The aviation industry faces even greater obstacles, including certification issues, infrastructure overhauls, and airframe modifications. With alternatives like sustainable aviation fuels and battery-electric aircraft gaining traction, critics argue that hydrogen cannot compete economically, leading many early backers to abandon the idea.